diff --git a/test/utf8.cxx b/test/utf8.cxx
index 5510a84ce..40890c641 100644
--- a/test/utf8.cxx
+++ b/test/utf8.cxx
@@ -622,10 +622,10 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
     snprintf(bu, sizeof(bu), "0x%06X", y * 16);
     Fl_Input *b = new Fl_Input(200,(y-off)*25,80,25);
     b->textfont(FL_COURIER);
-    b->value(fl_strdup(bu));
+    b->value(bu);
     b = new Fl_Input(280,(y-off)*25,380,25);
     b->textfont(extra_font);
-    b->value(fl_strdup(buf));
+    b->value(buf);
   }
   scroll.end();
   main_win->resizable(scroll);
@@ -644,6 +644,11 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
   utf8u[l] = '\0';
   i3.value(utf8u);
 
+  // free strings that are no longer used
+  free(utf8u);
+  free(utf8l);
+  free(utf8);
+
   const char *ltr_txt = "\\->e\xCC\x82=\xC3\xAA";
   Fl_Input i4(5, 90, 190, 25);
   i4.value(ltr_txt);